Duplex Clip Assembly for Fiber Optic Connectors

ABSTRACT

A duplex clip assembly for LC fiber optic plug connectors has a duplex housing, a crimp sleeve, and a housing cover. The duplex housing retains a portion of each fiber optic plug connector such as to allow each fiber optic plug connector to rotate relative to the duplex housing. The housing also has a bottom snap located on an underside. The housing cover encloses and retains the duplex housing with a clearance between the housing cover and the rest of the assembly. The housing cover also has a slot located on an underside configured to engage the bottom snap of the duplex housing such that the clearance fit allows an application of pressure on the sides of the housing cover to result in the slot being disengaged from the bottom snap. The clip assembly can also have a boot securely attached to the housing partially enclosing the fiber optic cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/417,833, filed Jan. 27, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,829,650on Nov. 28, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/745,784, filed Jun. 22, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,557,496 on Jan. 31, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/317,849, filed Jun. 27, 2014, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,063,303 on Jun. 23, 2015; which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/153,945, filed Jun. 6, 2011, which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,308 on Jul. 1, 2014, the subject matter of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fiber optic connectors andmore specifically to duplex clip assemblies for LC type connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In fiber optic networks signals are often paired together, one fortransmission and one for reception. As a result, it is often desirableto have an assembly that can keep the connectors paired together andarranged in the proper polarity. In addition, due to the high density ofthe equipment, it is also desirable to be able to remove connectorswithout having to reach the connector housings in order to depress theconnector latches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application describes several embodiments of a duplex clip assemblyfor use in aiding the insertion and removal of a pair of LC fiber opticconnectors. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a clip body with ahood. The clip body has a central wall, upper tabs and lower tabsconfigured to loosely retain a pair of LC connectors such as to allowthe clip body to move axially relative to the LC connectors. The hood isconfigured to engage a camming surface on the LC connector latches whenthe clip body is moved axially rearward relative to the LC connector.

In a second embodiment, the assembly includes a duplex housing and ahousing cover. The duplex housing retains the LC connectors such as toallow them to rotate. The housing cover has a hood protruding from thetop configured to engage a camming surface on the LC connector latches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an LC duplex clipassembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 1with the boot detached from the clip body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip body of the LC duplex clipassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boot of the LC duplex clip assemblyof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the removal of an LC connector fromthe clip body of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG.1 inserted into a port with the LC connector latches engaged with theport.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG.1 with the LC connector latches disengaged due to the clip body and bootbeing moved axially rearward relative to the LC connectors and cables.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a LC duplex clipassembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 8with the cables disconnected from the LC connectors to better show thecenter stiffening member.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG.8 taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG.8 taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 10 with the side of the boot pressed into disengage the engagement features of the boot from the engagementfeatures of the clip body.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an LC duplex clipassembly in which a portion of the hood forms a manual release lever.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an LCduplex clip assembly.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 14 withthe LC connector latches depressed due to the housing cover being movedaxially rearward relative to the LC connectors and duplex housing.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an LC duplex clipassembly in which a portion of the hood forms a manual release lever.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 18with the manual release lever partially removed.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG.18.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an LC duplex clipassembly.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of an LC duplexclip assembly.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of an LC duplexclip assembly.

FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the LC duplex clip assembly of FIG. 25with a lock-in release tool inserted.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of a ninth embodiment of an LCduplex clip assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-7 show a first embodiment of an LC duplex clip assembly 100. Theassembly includes a pair of LC connectors 101, a clip body 102, and aboot 103.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the clip body 102 has a set of upper tabs 104and a set of lower tabs 105 connected by a central wall 106. The set ofupper tabs 104 is perpendicular to the central wall 106 and parallel tothe set of lower tabs 105. The upper tabs 104 and lower tabs 105 areconfigured to loosely retain the LC connectors 101 on either side of thecentral wall 106 such as to allow the clip body 102 to move axiallyrelative to the LC connectors 101. The clip body also has a hood 107.The hood 107 protrudes from the top of the clip body 102. The hood 107is configured to engage a camming surface 109 on the LC connectorlatches 108 when the boot 103 and clip body 102 are moved in an axiallyrearward direction relative to the LC connectors 101.

The boot 103 attaches to the clip body 102 and is designed to looselyencircle the cables 110 such as to allow the boot 103 to move axiallyrelative to the cables 110 and LC connectors 101. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-7, the boot 103 connects to the clip body 102 viaengagement features 111, 112 on the clip body 102 and boot 103. The boot103 can be manufactured from an elastomeric material to allow bendradius control while also allowing for adequate rigidity for grippingduring connector removal and insertion.

As best shown is FIGS. 6 and 7, moving the boot 103 and clip body 102axially rearward relative to the LC connectors causes the hood 107 toengage the camming surfaces 109 of the LC connector latches 108 which inturn disengages the LC connector 101 from the port 120.

FIGS. 8-12 show a second embodiment of an LC duplex clip assembly 200.This embodiment adds a center stiffening member 213 to the boot 203. Thecenter stiffening member 213 can help prevent the inner walls of theboot 203 from collapsing on the cables 110 when a compressive force,such as from gripping the boot 203 too tightly, is applied to the boot203. If the walls of the boot 203 were allowed to collapse onto thecable 110, the friction created between the boot 203 and the cables 110could restrict the free axial motion of the clip body 202 and boot 203.The center stiffening member 213 can be located proximate the end of theboot 203 opposite where the boot 203 connects to the clip body 202 inorder to allow the boot 203 to flex for bend radius control.

As shown in FIGS. 8-12, the boot 203 can be connected to the clip body102 via a second type of engagement features 211, 212 on the clip body202 and boot 203. The engagement features 211, 212 shown in FIGS. 8-12,allow the boot 203 to be disengaged from the clip body 202 by squeezingthe sides of the boot 203 to disengage the engagement features 211, 212and then pulling the boot away from the clip body 202 (see specificallyFIGS. 11 and 12). The simple removal process also allows the connectors101 to be removed from the clip body 202 without a tool and switchedfrom side-to-side in order to reverse the polarity of the duplex clipassembly 200, if necessary.

The boot 203 can also have raised grip surfaces 214 and an annularprotrusion 215 to aid in gripping the boot 203.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of an LC duplex clip assembly 300 witha hood 307 in which a portion of the hood can operate as a manualrelease lever 316, allowing a user to disengage the LC connector latches108 from their respective ports by either moving the boot 203 and clipbody 302 rearward relative to the connectors 101 or by depressing themanual release lever 316.

FIGS. 14-17 show a fourth embodiment of an LC duplex clip assembly 400.This embodiment can be used in instances where two fibers are containedin a single cable, such as dual core jacketed cables. The assembly 400includes a duplex housing 451, a housing cover 452, a crimp sleeve 453,a boot 454 and a pair of LC connectors 101.

The duplex housing 451 can be formed of two halves 451 a, 451 b and canhave a backbone 455 integral with the housing halves (as shown in FIG.14) or can be a separate piece trapped by the housing halves 451 a, 451b. The duplex housing 451 is configured to retain the LC connectors 101such as to allow them to rotate relative to the duplex housing 451. Theoptical fibers 456 of the cable 458 are terminated to the connectors 101and the Kevlar fibers 457 of the cable 458 can be secured to the duplexhousing 451 via the crimp sleeve 453.

The housing cover 452 has a hood 459 protruding from the top and isconfigured to loosely retain the duplex housing 451 and LC connectors101 such as to allow the housing cover 452 to move axially relative tothe LC connectors 101 and duplex housing 451. The housing cover 452 canalso have an annular protrusion 464 to assist to aid in gripping thehousing cover 452.

As shown best in FIGS. 16 and 17, moving the housing cover 452 axiallyrearward relative to the LC connectors 101 and duplex housing 451 causesthe hood 459 of the housing cover 403 to engage a camming surface 109 onthe LC connector latches 108, which in turn allows the LC connectors 101to be disengaged from a port 120.

If necessary, the LC duplex assembly 400 can be easily reversed in thefield by squeezing the sides of the housing cover 452 to disengage thebottom snap 460, retracting the housing cover 452 from the duplexhousing 451 and LC connectors 101, rotating each of the LC connectors101 180 degrees relative to the duplex housing 451, rotating the housingcover 452 180 degrees relative to the duplex housing 451, and pushingthe housing cover 452 forward onto the duplex housing 451.

FIGS. 18-21 show a fifth embodiment of an LC duplex assembly 500. Thisembodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment except a portion of thehood 559 of the housing cover 552 can also be used as a manual releaselever 561 in order to allow a user to disengage the LC connectors 101from their respective ports by either moving the housing cover 552rearward relative to the connectors or by depressing the manual releaselever 561. In one embodiment, the manual release lever 561 can snap intoplace on the remaining portion of the hood 559.

FIG. 22 shows a sixth embodiment of an LC duplex assembly 600. Thisembodiment has a housing cover 652 that does not have a hood and is notdesigned to move axially relative to the duplex housing and connectors.The housing cover 652, as in other embodiments, can be designed toprovide side support and prevent the connectors 101 from rotating.

FIGS. 23-24 show a seventh embodiment of an LC duplex assembly 700. Thisembodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment, except it has a manualrelease lever 761 extending from the top of the housing cover 752.

FIGS. 25-28 show an eighth embodiment of an LC duplex assembly 800. Thisembodiment is also similar to the sixth embodiment except the housingcover 852 has locking assembly 870 similar to the one described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,632,125, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 29 shows a ninth embodiment of an LC duplex clip assembly 900. Thisembodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment except the duplex housing951 does not allow the connectors 101 to rotate relative to the duplexhousing 951.

This embodiment 900 can also be easily reversed in the field byretracting the housing cover 652 from the duplex housing 951, slidingeach connector 101 out of the duplex housing 951, rotating eachconnector 101 180 degrees relative to the duplex housing 951, slidingthe LC connectors 101 back into the duplex housing 951, rotating thehousing cover 652 180 degrees relative to the duplex housing 951, andsliding the housing cover 652 back onto the duplex housing 951.

While particular embodiments and applications of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise construction and compositionsdisclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variationsmay be apparent from the foregoing without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as described.

1. A duplex clip assembly for use in aiding an insertion and removal ofa pair of LC fiber optic plug connectors into complementary LC fiberoptic jack connectors comprising: a duplex housing, the duplex housingconfigured to retain a portion of each LC fiber optic plug connector; acrimp sleeve attached to duplex housing opposite of the LC fiber opticplug connectors for use in securing a dual core fiber optic cable to theduplex housing; a housing cover, the housing cover at least partiallyenclosing and loosely retaining the duplex housing with a clearancebetween the housing cover and an assembly of the duplex housing and LCfiber optic plug connectors such as to allow the housing cover to moveaxially relative to the assembly of the duplex housing and the LCconnectors wherein axially is defined as parallel to a direction ofinsertion of the pair of LC fiber optic plug connectors into thecomplementary LC fiber optic jack connectors; and a hood, the hoodprotruding from a top of the housing cover, the hood configured to atleast partially cover a latch of each of the LC and further defining apair of tool insertion slots.